Come with me as I share my impressions on the CCA DUO, CCA’s entry into the 2DD market priced at $40 with a rather bold claim to sound like another famous 2DD set. Knowing KZ’s antics as of recently, they have been quite confident in their products being the best in class. But are the claims as bold as the truth that these offer? Let’s find out!
FIRST IMPRESSION:
- Barebones KZ unboxing and inclusions
- Decent build with superb comfort
- The (C)Leanest KZ/CCA to date
- Tight, fast but light bass presentation
- Lean, clean and open midrange
- Bright, slightly hot but surprisingly refined treble
- Decent overall technicalities for the price
The Duo is by far the leanest that CCA or KZ has ever done. Eerie, maybe. But a welcome entry thanks to a surprisingly well-executed kind of lean and bright that still has hints of the KZ gene without the hyper-v nor the complex trends that was brought about by KZ themselves. Instead, it features 2 dynamic drivers to pump out, well, not a lot of bass unfortunately.
Yet you’d be dumbfounded how tight and fast the Duo is capable of pushing out the bass that makes the lowend sound clean and open. Sure, this has the effect of somewhat sucking out the blood and meat from that range that will make vocals and bass notes sound lightweight and anemic, but you’d be hardpressed to find any other sets from the brand with such a clean presentation.
The highlight will depend on your preference; either you’re a midhead that’s in it for the leanest and meanest with love for an intoxicating female vocal presentation in which, the Duo will provide. A pseudo-analytical vocal dissection as I still think it doesn’t fair against more expensive sets with better drivers, but impressive for what 2 Dynamic Drivers could achieve.
Treble is also a potential highlight thanks to its brighter leaning presentation giving extra emphasis to percussives and string instruments while keeping upper treble airy and expansive. Stage isn’t the widest, but it’s expansive enough to create a sense of width that isn’t usually found in IEMs around its price range. Microdetail is also pretty good, but doesn’t reach in too far into the nuance which still gives macrodynamics the upper hand over the micro. Treble sensitives beware, though. It gets pretty damn hot, especially on brigther leaning tracks or brighter sources. Tip-rolling would also be recommended if you’d like to further refine the treble.
But the real question is, does this sound like the Truthear Zero: Red? The set that CCA stated that sounded like the Duo? Short answer, no. Long answer, it sounds more like another set from Truthear. Practiphile mentioned this on his impressions, but the Truthear Hexa has a closer resemblance to the Duo than Red. Bass is still leaner on the Duo with a thinner and arguably more analytical presentation compared to the Hexa, but the somewhat lack luster midbass, forward and well-nuanced vocals and snappy treble give the Duo a somewhat split identity from what it was marketed as. At this point, it’s probably best the just avoid the comparisons all-together.
The Duo brings the Clean in CCA. Not only in its lineup, but in it’s literal namesake. Clear Concept Audio takes two dynamics into one lean and mean set. A rather rare sight nowadays with the emergence for balanced or u-shaped sets following Harman and the like, yet respectable in how it was presented. A perfect set for lean, female vocal and trebleheads on a budget that is fine with KZ’s usual barebones presentation. Just avoid the marketing at all costs, I guess.
Thank you for reading my impressions of the KZ Duo. If you’d like to order one, consider using the non-affiliated link below: https://www.kztws.com/products/cca-duo
If you have any questions or concerns, contact me on my Facebook or at obodioreviews@gmail.com
